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^OUVEAV 

OF THE 

LITTLETON 

W.C.T.U 



“Not by might, nor by power, but by My^ spirit.” 


24th STATE CONVENTION 

0pera |House, llihblebop, N' H- 


1897-P* 












HISTORICAL SKETCH 


/ 

Woman’s Christian 
# # Temperance 

Union... 



LITTLETON, N. H.: 

Courier publishing company, printers, 
1897 . 

<1 



HY si.'bh" 




While compiling the work of the Littleton W. C. T. U. for 
publication in the town history I offer this pamphlet edition as a 
more convenient souvenir for distribution among the rank and file 
and hosts of friends who have felt the fraternal fellowship of the 
White-ribbon tie. With pure gratitude to all who have kindly as¬ 
sisted in this labor of love, I bid it go to the sanctuary of your 
hearts and homes with its white-winged message of peace on 
earth, good will to all. 


MRS. JOSEPHINE AUSTIN. 



'Historical «3ketck o j tke Wolrx&ft’^ 
Ckristiah, Temperance Union. 


July 27, 1881, a number of ladies met at the Episcopal church 
to organize a branch of the New Hampshire W. C. T. U. in Lit¬ 
tleton. By invitation Revs. Andrews, Osgood and McLaughlin 
were present. In the absence of Miss Frances Willard who was 
expected, Mr. Osgood explained the methods of work usually 
adopted by the W. C. T. U., and a permanent organization was 
then formed by the adoption of the constitution as follows : 

ARTICLE I. 

NAME. 

This organization shall be known as the Woman's Christian 
Temperance Union of Littleton, auxiliary to the W. C. T. U. of 
the state of New Hampshire. 

ARTICLE II. 

OBJECT. 

The object of this Union shall be to plan and carry forward 
measures, which will result, with the blessing of God, in the sup¬ 
pression of intemperance in our midst and the prohibition of the ■ 
liquor traffic. 

ARTICLE III. 

MEMBERSHIP. 

Any woman may become a member of this organization by a 
payment of fifty cents per year into the treasury; twenty cents of 
which shall be sent to the state treasury. She shall also sign the 
following: 

PLEDGE. 

I hereby solemnly promise, God helping me, to abstain from 
all distilled, fermented and malt liquor as a beverage, including 
wine, beer and cider. And to employ all proper means to dis¬ 
courage the use of and traffic in the same. 

Gentlemen may become honorary members by the payment 
of fifty cents per year. 



4 


HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 


ARTICLE IV. 

OFFICERS. 

The officers of this organization shall be a president, vice- 
president, one from each church, corresponding secretary, record¬ 
ing secretary and treasurer, who shall, with the superintendent of 
the literature department, constitute an executive committee. 

The following officers were then chosen : President. Mrs. 
Evans W. Farr; vice-presidents, Mrs. Frank Weller, Mrs. Water¬ 
man and Mrs. Gile ; corresponding secretary, Mrs. Frank Hodg- 
man ; recording secretary, Miss Helen Osgood ; treasurer, Miss 
Julia Allen. A committee consisting of Mrs. Henry Redington, 
Mrs. Allen Church and Mrs. Charles Tarbell were chosen to for¬ 
mulate work. April 12, 1882, the Union met in the Congrega¬ 
tional vestry. Mrs. G. W. Osgood was chosen president in place 
of Mrs. Farr, resigned, through whose earnest efforts the foundation 
work of Littleton’s Union had been well laid. 

Much good work was done among children in the form of 
Temperance Sunday school, most efficiently conducted by Miss 
Minnie Tilton, superintendent; Mrs. S. C. Sawyer, Mrs. Cora 
Tilton and Miss Lydia Cobb, assistants. Children signed the 
pledge and wore the badge of blue ribbon. Miss Julia Coleman’s 
catechism was introduced in the village schools and outer districts 
by the untiring zeal of Mrs. H. H. Southworth, Mrs. Charles 
Eaton, Mrs. Henry Tilton, Mrs. Kate Chickering, Mrs. Oscar 
Parker, Mrs. Ray Gile, Mrs. Edgar Aldrich, Mrs. Thomas Carlton, 
Miss Julia Allen, Anna Brackett and many others. Prizes' for the 
best essays on the effect of alcohol on the brain and human system 
were given in the High school, taught by Prof. Dame, who gave 
co-operation and courtesy to the work of the W. C. T. U. Jail 
and almshouse department of work was taken up at this time, and 
the first visits from the Union were made by Mrs. Eaton, South- 
worth and Rand, June 18, 1885, with annual visits from the Union 
each succeeding year. One needs to go but once to see the joy 
and comfort thus carried to these unfortunate ones. 

In 1883, the first free lunch at town meeting was served, giv¬ 
ing out a good supply of temperance literature with the same ; 
both lunch and literature being gladly received. This work was 
continued for four years, and the ladies worked with a loyalty not 
a whit behind our sisters of Canada, Maine and Iowa. Never¬ 
theless, womanlike, the reaction attendant upon the defeat, the 


Mrs. Geo. W. Osgood. 
Mrs. Solon L. Simonds. 


Mrs. Ellen B. Farr. Mrs. Granville C. Waterman. 

Mrs. Nettie H. Knox. Mrs. Samuel C. Sawyer. 

Mrs. Josephine Austin. 



PRESIDENTS, W. C. T. U. 















WOMAN'S CHRISTIAN TEMPERANCE UNION. 


5 


high license craze, much indifference and general apathy was 
faced with martyr-like patience. 

Under the faithful leadership of Mrs. Osgood the work was 
further forwarded by the entering wedge of petitions. As a de¬ 
partment of work it was in its incipient stage ; and no one felt the 
power to say, as the little child did, who, when asked “if she were 
learning to read?” replied, “I don’t have to learn to read now, I 
just read !” And when a petition was presented to Ira Parker, 
praying that he refuse to employ intemperate men, and a similar 
petition was presented to the Scythe Factory, it was in the spirit 
of Alice Cary when she said : “The attempt is all the wedge that 
splits its knotty way betwixt the possible and impossible.” 

It was small in the beginning, but increasing slowly and sure¬ 
ly until by the continuous and persistent effort of this wedge we 
find ultimate success. About this time we find the first track is 
made leading to the avenues of assistance from the press. We 
find on record a vote of thanks to Miss Belle Redington for an ar¬ 
ticle in the Republic, entitled, “Can We Help?” Another pe¬ 
tition as a first step to the monumental though herculean work of 
introducing and maintaining Scientific Temperance Instruction in 
our schools we find recorded April n, 1883, thus: “The 
president then read a circular from Miss C. R. Wendell, state re¬ 
cording secretary, in regard to a petition being presented to the 
legislature in June, asking that laws may be enacted requiring in¬ 
struction in our public schools in Physiology and Hygiene, which 
shall give special prominence to the effects of alcoholic drinks, 
stimulants and narcotics upon the human system.” The letter re¬ 
quested that our town be thoroughly canvassed by our ladies, and 
every person over twenty-one, especially voters, be urged to sign 
the petition. It was moved and seconded that Mrs. Tilton and 
Mrs. Osgood confer with Rev. Mr. Lyford of the Baptist church, 
concerning the appointment of ladies to circulate the petition in 
the outer districts. The following ladies were chosen to circulate 
the petition in the village : Mrs. Dexter and Mrs. Gile* Union, 
Cross and Pleasant streets; Mrs. Hatch, with assistants, High and 
streets above ; Mrs. McGregor, Jackson, Clay, and School streets ; 
Mrs. Goodenough, Maple, Church and Elm streets; Mrs. Church 
from bridge to School street; Minnie Tilton, Main from School 
to water trough ; Mrs. Jones, to the end of Main, and Farr Hill; 
Mrs. Henry Green, Saranac and Mill streets. 

May 4, 1885, a permanent committee on petitions was ap¬ 
pointed to confer with our representatives and the following peti- 


0 


HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 


tions were referred to them : The undersigned residents of the 
town of Littleton, N. H., respectfully represent that certain parties 
interested in the sale of alcoholic liquors are making efforts to¬ 
ward securing a license law. Against such a proceedure we pro¬ 
test, and urge in the interests of our home and children, that the 
present Prohibitory Law be retained, and measures adopted for 
its better enforcement. 

The undersigned residents of Littleton, N. H., most earnest¬ 
ly pray for the passage of the proposed bill to prohibit the exhibi¬ 
tion and sale of stories of bloodshed and crime; and of other 
corresponding literature within this state. We are informed that 
North Carolina, Illinois, Michigan, Iowa, Texas, Maine and other 
states have enacted laws against these evils. We believe that the 
danger and curse of the morals of the young are sufficiently mani¬ 
fest to sustain an earnest prayer that the legislature will not ad¬ 
journ without enacting the proposed bill now introduced. 

March 8, 1886, voted to petition the selectmen to close 
saloons on town-meeting day. Mrs. Knox wrote the request as 
follows : 

Gentlemen : — In behalf of the welfare of our citizens and 
town, and the great need of clear brain in the transaction of the 
town business, and as a safeguard to prevent evil, the W. C. T. U. 
most respectfully request that you order the sale of intoxicants to 
be prohibited on Tuesday, March 9, 1886, town-meeting day; and 
that proper means be taken to see that such request by your 
authority be strictly heeded. 

March 26, voted that the secretary prepare a memorial to pre¬ 
sent the editor of the Journal asking him to remove from that 
paper the advertisement of ‘ Rock and Rye.” 

At the regular meeting April 2, 1889, an article on Woman 
Suffrage was read. Most of the ladies were in favor of the same 
and signed a petition to the legislature, asking to make it a law of 
the state. February 17, 1891, at the regular meeting, Mrs. 
Waterman, president, read a letter from Ex-Gov. Goodell request¬ 
ing petitions to have the Nuisance Law remain on the statute 
books sent to the legislature as soon as possible. A petition was 
drawn up and well signed. Julia R. Carpenter, State Superin¬ 
tendent of Legislation, in the report of 1895, says: “That the 
various means to strengthen the weak points in the statutes and 
increase the power of the Nuisance Act passed in the House over 
great opposition was owing to the brilliant and untiring champion¬ 
ship of Daniel C. Remich of Littleton, to whom the W. C. T. U. 


WOMAN'S CHRISTIAN TEMPERANCE UNION. 


and all good citizens owe a debt of deep and lasting gratitude. 
He was watchful and indefatigable, keen of perception, resistless 
and courageous in argument, and devoted all his powers of heart 
and intellect to the furthering of every good measure. Let us 
never forget what we owe him.” 

One of the resolutions passed at the State W. C. T. U. con¬ 
vention, 1895,reads: 


Resolved, That we, as a 
convention, express our grati¬ 
tude to Hon. D. C. Remich 
of Littleton for his persistent 
efforts in the last legislature 
for the retaining of the Pro¬ 
hibitory Law intact upon our 
statute books, and his loyalty 
to every movement pertaining 
to the temperance cause. 

The World’s petition, 
now called Polyglot petition, 
to be presented to the dif¬ 
ferent governments of the 
world, was well signed, Mrs. 
Austin procuring one hundred 
names in season to be enrolled 
on the scroll that wreathed the gallery of Tremont Temple, during 
National Convention, 1891. The petition in regard to the closing 
of the Columbian Exposition on Sunday was read and reported to 
have been endorsed unanimously by the Congregational church 
and signed by one hundred names, also endorsed by the Baptist 
and Methodist churches. The petition to Messrs. Webb and 
Pulman to abolish smoking compartments on their cars. January 
22, 1895, a petition to raise the age of consent, which passed the 
House and Senate to be vetoed by Gov. Busiel. The Hon. Ira 
Parker was a member of the legislature when the state Union de¬ 
cided to ask for an appropriation for “Mercy Home.” Mrs. 
Knox asked him if he would present the bill to that effect and he 
very kindly consented. [See Dedication of Mercy Home.] The 





8 


HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 


heroic work done for constitutional amendment in place of statu¬ 
tory, as shown by the records, made, in the words of Will Carle - 
ton, “brawn and brain” that is “no vanity of head, but thankful¬ 
ness of heart instead,” and though the workers pass into oblivion, 
multitudes are already reaping the blessings. 

At the annual meeting, April 14, 1884, Mrs. F. A. Robinson 
was elected president and served the ensuing year, giving her 
whole heart and energy to build up the work and place Littleton 
W. C. T. U. in estimable rank among sixty-seven others in our 
state. Its first delegate to State convention was Mrs. S C. Saw¬ 
yer, who was sent by the Union to Fisherville September 26, 1882, 
and the Union has well sustained rank and dignity to each suc¬ 
ceeding convention, standing second to none, except Franklin, in 
every line of work taken up. From her Union Mrs. N. H. Knox, 
as state delegate to the National convention, went to Philadelphia. 
Mrs. Ray Gile, Mrs. S.'L. Simonds, Mrs. S. C. Sawyer, Mrs. Frank 
Phillips, Mrs. L. M. Buswell and Mrs. L. J. Austin attended the 
Eighteenth Annual National convention at Boston, Mass., October 
1891. At the Twenty-second National convention, held at Balti¬ 
more, Md., October, 1895, Mrs Josephine Austin went as 
delegate. The Union has sent as delegates and alternates to an¬ 
nual State conventions as follows : Twelfth convention at Great 
Falls, September, 1885, the local president, Mrs. N. H. Knox 
who was State president at that time. Thirteenth convention, 
September, 1886, was held at Littleton. The address of welcome 
given by Mrs. Frank Phillips was as follows: 

Dear Sisters and Friends :—We most heartily welcome you 
to our beautiful town, to our hearts, and also to the hospitalities 
of our homes. Although you have received many greetings from 
other towns in the state, yet we hope the grandeur of our mount¬ 
ain scenery, and the cordiality of our people during your stay may 
well repay you for any sacrifices you have made to come so far to 
to meet with us in convention. There are, doubtless, at this time 
disinterested people asking why so many ladies are assembled, and 
what is their object. The answer comes from the sad hearts and 
homes that so much need our sympathy, work and prayers. By 
the help of these annual meetings new strength, courage and zeal 
are gained to go forward in the noble work of staying the tide of 
intemperance. We know the promises of God never fail. “Ask 
in faith and ye shall receive.” “All things work together for good 
to them that love God.” Now, with the Lord on our side, as 
helper and guide, we feel assured that right will prevail; for our 



MRS HANNAH MERRILL. 


MISS JULIA ALLEN. 



MRS. HANNAH HILDRETH. 



MRS HENRY LIBBEY. 



MRS. C. P. CHICKERING. 





























































, 




















































































"WOMAN'S CHRISTIAN TEMPERANCE UNION. 


9 


Father has said in his word He will never leave nor forsake his 
children. During the Rebellion President Lincoln was asked 
what he was going to do about suppressing it. He replied : “Peg 
away, peg away, keep pegging away.” Now that is just what we 
women intend to do until we see the triumph of Prohibition, which 
of course would have occurred long, long ago if only the women 
could have managed the ballot. We very often sing,—- 

“ Blest be the tie that binds 
Owr hearts in Christian love;” 

Although we meet as strangers, yet as we look into your earnest 
faces we feel there is a common bond of sympathy existing be¬ 
tween us as co-workers in the same loved cause of redeeming our 
land from the curse of intemperance. It is hoped that your pres¬ 
ence with us may give new inspiration not only to our workers 
already in the field, but also to our friends who stand just outside 
our ranks. We trust they will come a little nearer now—just near 
enough to grasp our hands, ready to take hold of the work while 
the battle is raging the thickest. Whenever we find obstacles in 
our pathway let us not be discouraged nor “weary in well doing, 
for in due season ye shall reap if ye faint not.” 

“ Again I welcome all friends here; 

We’ll trust in God without a fear; 

United may we ever stand 

For God and Home and Native Land.” 

The Fourteenth convention at Manchester, September, 1887, 
Mrs. E. H. Aldrich and Mrs. F. A. Robinson were chosen dele¬ 
gates, with Mrs. Henry Green and Mrs. H. H. Southworth, alter¬ 
nates. Fifteenth convention at Keene, September, 1888, Mrs S. 
C. Sawyer and Mrs H. H. Southworth. Sixteenth convention at 
Concord, September, 1889, Mrs. S. C. Sawyer, Mrs. H. H. South- 
worth and Mrs. L. J. Austin. Seventeenth convention at Nashua, 
October, 1891,’Mrs. Rose Kenney, Mrs. L. M. Buswell and Mrs* 
L. M. Austin, the latter having the closing evening for a Demo- 
rest Gold tyledal Contest. (Master Charles Robinson of Keene 
won the first gold medal in the state at that time.) Eighteenth 
convention at Laconia, October, 1892, Mrs. S. C. Sawyer, Mrs* 
Sarah Danforth, Mrs. Jennie Smith and Mrs. L. J. Austin. The 
closing exercises were by Mrs. Austin’s class competing for the 
first grand gold medal in the state, Miss Bertha Stevens of Frank- 
lin being the happy winner. Nineteenth convention at Jefferson, 
October, 1893, Mrs. S. C. Sawyer, Mrs. H. Libbey, Mrs. Frank 
Phillips and Mrs. Aaron Eastman. Twenty-first convention at 
Franklin, October, 1895, Mrs. J. H. Hoffman, Mrs. S. L. Simonds, 


10 


HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 


Mrs. Josephine Austin. At the County conventions Littleton is 
called the “Banner Union.” December 20, 1893, the County con¬ 
vention was held at Littleton, Mrs. Josephine Nichols of Indiana 
lecturing in the evening. 

May 4, 1885, the beloved Mrs. N. H. Knox, being at the 
time State president, was elected president of the local Union, and 
was a most efficient leader until called to new fields of labor April 
25, 1888. Mrs. Knox, wife of M. V. B. Knox, the Methodist 
pastor, now president of Red River Valley University, Wahpeton, 
North Dakota, who gave his best and hearty sympathy as an aid 
to the temperance work; as an example to all other ministers in 
high places. Of her it can well be said, “She was not an ordinary 
but an extraordinary woman.” With her leadership the Union 
kept marching on the principle of an old philosopher, that the 
most highly developed work of the past should be but the average 
development of what follows. Threads became strands in her 
skillful hands. In a letter received from her while a teacher in 
Dakota University, she refer! to an incident, in connection with 
the work already mentioned, of serving lunch at town meeting. 
She writes : “At first the consent was reluctantly given by the 
officials, but when they saw that our work did good and helped to 
keep men from the saloons, they requested us to continue and re¬ 
turned us a vote of thanks. I recall one incident. The men were 
getting excited over some question and it looked as if they were 
coming to a fight. The quarrel ran high, and just as the men 
raised their arms to strike, one of our women said, ‘Let us sing 
America,’ and quick as thought the clear sweet voices of women 
resounded throughout the building in the suggestive words,— 

‘ My country ’tis of t hee 

Sweet land of liberty, 

Of thee 1 sing.’ 

A hush fell upon the angry crowd; hands raised to tear each 
other were quickly dropped and the voters had no more trouble 
that day.” It was under her leadership work on narcotics com¬ 
menced. An extract from the same letter will emphasize, 
together with following history, what McAnnis says : “Stirring 
up this world is fascinating work, but dangerous.” She 
writes : “We circulated a petition among business men and the 
hotels, asking that they would not sell cigarettes ; would not keep 
them for sale. We got the consent of every firm but one. The 
failure of this one house prevented our clearing the town of the 
sale of cigarettes.” 


WOMAN'S CHRISTIAN TEMPERANCE UNION. 


11 


The records show intermittent work along this line, as fob 
lows; November 8, 1886, regular meeting opened with scripture 
reading and prayer by Mrs. Waterman. Mrs. Knox spoke of the 
tobacco law not being enforced in this town. After some discus- 
sion it was thought best for the president to write to the Internal 
Revenue officers to ascertain who in this town had license for sell¬ 
ing. January 3, 1887, some discussion about a case of liquor sell¬ 
ing in this town. Mrs. Rand was chosen committee to procure 
several search warrants from some lawyer. January 17th, Mrs. 
Rand reported that she procured one from a lawyer in Lisbon, for 
which the Union paid two dollars. Mrs. Rand and Knox were 
chosen to interview the lawyers here to see if all were retained in 
the interests of the saloon. However, their subsequent attitude 
toward the W. C. T. U. has been one of marked courtesy and 
much assistance ; for which a rising vote of thanks was given them 
at the regular meeting, February 11, 1896. A spirited discussion 
of the liquor traffic, April 25th. June 20th, discussion on tobacco 
and impure literature. July 18th, spirited discussion in regard to 
tobacco using, especially by church people, and decided that if 
the women of Littleton would come out and take a stand with the 
Union and for truth, they could make a move that would be ef¬ 
fectual. How to reach them was a question unanswered. August 
1, 1887, the following question was brought before the ladies and 
voted upon : That they send a letter to Mrs. Cofran of the Twin 
Mountain House, asking her to desist and cease the practice of 
treating invited guests with punch of any kind. December 19th, 
a case of illegal sale of tobacco and cigarettes reported. A com¬ 
mittee of three, Mrs. Knox, Mrs. Waterman and Mrs. Green were 
appointed to see to the enforcement of the law. 

January 30, 1888, meeting opened with scripture reading and 
prayer; and the tobacco question was then discussed. The ladies 
decided that they would not proceed with the case of illegal sale 
at present. The committee were to visit all the dealers and give 
them warnings of suspicions against them of breaking the law, and 
ask them to desist. February 6th, the committee reported their 
visits to seventeen places, and all were sure they did not sell to 
boys; and that each was willing to give up the sale of cigarettes if 
all would do so. The report was accepted. Voted that the same 
committee should circulate a paper for names of all that would 
pledge themselves to keep no more cigarettes for sale. The case 
of liquor selling brought a letter from Gov. Sawyer, saying, the 
validity of the Nuisance Act would have to be tested before the 


12 


HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 


Supreme Court. The ladies decided they would give them a 
chance so to do. Each member was to get all the information 
possible during the week, and be ready tu make plans to that ef¬ 
fect at the next meeting. February 13th, the committee reported 
twenty-one places visited. Seventeen had signed the paper pledg¬ 
ing themselves not to sell cigarettes. At two places they refused 
to do so, and one place they were not at home which brought out 
a general discussion at the next meeting, whereupon it was voted 
to have an article in the village paper explaining why cigarette 
selling had not been abolished here, Mrs. Knox to prepare the ar¬ 
ticle. June 5th, Mrs. Waterman reported her success in giving the 
facts to the public through the press. Then came a lull, but not a 
rest. Once again the records show an attack upon the most for¬ 
bidding castle of the enemy. With state superintendent, Mrs. 
Elena Hoffman, then of Peterboro, revised laws, and county so¬ 
licitor, Hon. W. H. Mitchell, and prima facie evidence the re¬ 
cords show some victory won, and the lesson that to 

“Grasp a nettle tender handed 

Only stings you for your pains; 

But to quick and firmly crush it, 

Then it soft as silk remains.” 

Like the liquor traffic, restriction and suppression can no 
more win the battle than the old musket of ’76 or the Springfield 
rifle of ’61 would satisfy the navy of 1896. Offenders of the law 
are still known and reported. To walk the length of Main street 
plainly reading the marks of poison on God’s temples that should 
be fit for the indwelling of his spirit. Few at the present age are 
sufficiently ignorant to not diagnose the symptoms; and mother¬ 
hood, wifehood and sisterhood, God, home and humanity cry aloud 
for pure hearts and clear brains. “Times like these demand 
strong minds, great hearts, and ready hands.” Must we wait for 
Scientific Temperance instruction to be taught through schools 
and colleges before this stain of narcotics shall be washed “whiter 
than snow?” The White Ribbon army are a host with a purpose, 
and Littleton school examinations on Scientific Temperance in¬ 
struction are in evidence of persistency. 

Though strange as it may seem to future generations the re¬ 
cords show the footholds gained by committee work, petition work, 
legal instructions and unflagging faith, mixed with womanly pa¬ 
tience, unequalled in any organization other than the Woman’s 
Christian Temperance Union, was the story of the cross that won 
the crown of Scientific Temperance instruction being taught as re¬ 
quired by law now adopted in every state and territory except Ar- 



MRS. J. B. MERRILL. 


MRS. S. O PARKER. 



MRS GEO. MARTIN. 



MRS.STEPHEN EATON. 


MRS. LAURA HOWLAND 































WOMAN'S CHRISTIAN TEMPERANCE UNION. 


13 


kansas, Virginia and Georgia. Vermont being the first to adopt 
the law and New Hampshire third. 

The department of Friendly Inn work, superintended by Mrs. 
Silas Hatch, until she was called to be matron of Mercy Home at 
Manchester, was reaching scores of neglected children who came 
to her home for instruction in every way to uplift and save those 
of whom the Saviour said, “Such is the kingdom of Heaven.” 
September n, 1888, Mrs. Hatch by invitation gave some facts in 
the history of her work, particularly that on circus day, which was an 
inspiration to all, making them wish for the moment that they 
could do her work in her way, but remembered that Christ is 
leader and captain and would take orders from Him, keeping so 
close as to make no mistakes. The soldiers who are nearest their 
captain are least likely to misunderstand the orders. The work 
among children has never lacked enthusiasm. The Band of Hope 
was the pet of the ladies and County convention reports called 
Littleton the Banner Union in Juvenile work, but from need of 
leaders has not come up to the standard of its high calling. At 
first the Temperance Sunday school, using Miss Coleman’s cate¬ 
chism, had a large attendance. Then the Band of Hope, after 
which the National decided that all Juvenile societies be called 
Loyal Temperance Legion. This was well attended by nearly 
one hundred children, until the work was too arduous for the su¬ 
perintendent, Mrs. Aaron Eastman, without more assistance, 
which, if provided, would soon enable the L. T. L. of Littleton 
to be represented in County, State and National, under the present 
system of juvenile work. 

August 27, 1888, Mrs. M. S. Waterman was elected president, 
who was a wise and trusted leader until February 17, 1891. She 
was the wife of G. C. Waterman, the pastor of the Baptist church, 
who gave hearty sympathy and aid in forwarding the work, until 
called to a pastorate in Providence, R. I. Woman’s Suffrage was 
advocated. Ladies attending school meeting urged Mrs. Water¬ 
man asked the question : “If any lady would not go to school 
meeting could she give the reason why?” Many subscribers for 
the Union Signal were added. Much work done for the Mercy 
Home. 

June 25th, Mrs. Albee of Claremont spoke to the Union in 
the interest of a home for needy and fallen women, to be estab¬ 
lished-in Manchester, N. H., for which there seemed great need; 
as homeless women are driven to places of vice and dens of in¬ 
iquity for the want of a respectable place. Many loath the life 


u 


ftfSTOfiTCAL SKETCH O’F THE' 


they now lead and would be different with a little help. A tem¬ 
perance home on a small scale had been secured and forty-nine 
females applied during that year, toward making what is now an 
established permanent W. C. TV U. Mercy Home. Littleton 
Union has furnished what is called “Littleton Room,” and has con¬ 
tributed two hundred and twenty-five dollars. 

March 3, 1891, Mrs. S. L. Simonds, who had served since the 
absence of Mrs. Waterman,, was elected president, acting until 
September 1, 1891 ; during which time she presided at the public 
meeting of May 31st, with the following program : Tenth psalm 
ready by. Mrs. L, J. Austin; prayer by Rev, Mr. Sanderson; ad¬ 
dress by Rev. J. B. Merrill from the words, “Whatsoever ye would 
that men should do to you, do you even so to them •” Miss Willard’s 
appeal, beautifully read by Mrs. Ira Parker; collection; poem re¬ 
cited by Bessie Shay; music, interspersed by the choir and by the 
children, led by Mrs. Charles Bingham, (noteworthy for her often 
and efficiently rendered service for the Union, of which she is a 
member;) benediction by Rev. Mr. Langford. 

In April a Demorest medal contest, given by Mrs. Austin’s 
class, (Miss Bertha Glazier winning the gold medal,) at the Con¬ 
gregational church, gave the proceeds toward furnishing the Lit¬ 
tleton Room at Mercy Home in Manchester. Books were pur¬ 
chased for the L. T„ L„, and the boxes at the depot and barber 
shops kept supplied with literature, and much incidental work was 
done. With the persistent efforts of Mrs. S, C. Sawyer the treas¬ 
ury was so well cared for that the Union has earned an enviable 
reputation for helping others, always contributing its share. Doing 
not a little to assist, and, if possible, remove an inmate known as 
“Blind Ann” from the county almhouse to some home for the 
aged. Gave $ 8.60 for prizes for best essays on alcohol; $10 to 
Miss Willard’s appeal for current expenses contributed toward the 
state flag; the Nebraska temple ; $5 to Harley mission in Mich¬ 
igan ; contributed toward Ramabai fund; the reading room at 
North Stratford ; Rescue work in Michigan, and many gifts. Has 
had lectures by Mesdames Leavitt, Richardson, Kimball, Harris, 
Pearson, Stevenson, Nichols, Gleason, Dr. Minnie Leavitt, 
Barton, Lathrop, Rice, Phelps, Messrs. Langford, Kingsley, 
Beardsley, Merrill, Remich, Hoffman and others. - Concert by the 
Clarions, spending more than one hundred dollars for these rich 
treats to themselves and the public. Gave toward the Chicago 
Temple,—“House Beautiful;” for lumberman’s work, a library 
with case, many comfort bags, fifty dollars; for Mercy Home, 


'WOMAN'S CinilSTIXN TEMGETERXNCE TmTOX. 


15 


$225 ; for fountain on Main street, $127.20; for work among chil¬ 
dren and incidentals, about $300; rent for rooms and halls more 
than $100 ; for Keefey Cure work, $656 was used to send thirteen to 
North Conway Institute, managed by Prof. Gould. 

Though the W. C. T. U. work of itself is in lines of prevention, 
each Union has liberty to add, at its own discretion, any labor for 
the uplift of hun unity. Sending the finished product of the 
saloons and drug stores to Conway had enlisted the hearts and 
pockets of Messrs. Kilburn and Remich, and Mr. Remich pre¬ 
sented the subject to the Union at a regular meeting, whereupon 
a committee of three, viz., Mrs. D. C. Remich, Mrs. S. L.Simonds 
and Mrs. L. J. Austin, was appointed to solicit funds for the 
work ; while the Union could meantime, through permit of Dr. 
Keeley, give fifty per cent, discount. The first efforts, though 
mercury was twenty degrees below zero, found tender hearts warm 
with sympathy. Within twenty-four hours one hundred and fifty 
dollars were given and pledged to Mrs. Austin who was kindly 
treated by every one, though she called at the hotels and drug 
stores as well as elsewhere. This with the refunded money from 
some, who, after having their health restored, showed true man¬ 
hood and thus enabled the work to go on with many good results. 

Mrs. S. L. Simonds was appointed superintendent by the County 
president, Mrs. G. W. Richardson. Many shall magnify her 
name and memory for going to the homes where was no food but 
the remnants of biscuit made from the flour given by D. C. 
Remich ; no beds, but bundles on the floor for five children, the 
youngest a babe of eight months in a small grocer box for a crib ; 
clothing pawned at the saloon for drinks and the mother helpless 
to perform even the first step toward Home Protection. In the 
name of Him who said, “Go ye into all the world,” she went with 
the little badge of White-ribbon and the motto of our state, “Not 
by might, nor by power, but by thy spirit saith the Lord,” and 
transformed those abodes into homes of comfort and joy. Too 
much cannot be said in praise of any person who gives time, money 
or assistance of any kind whatsoever to rescue humanity from the 
wrecks on the sea of life, but what about the “ounce of prevention ?” 
Like the difference between a few light-houses and life-boats at 
what was called Hell Gate, near New York, and the permanent 
removal of those unwieldly forces, lying layer upon layer, hidden 
beneath the waters. Many more can and will be saved by honey¬ 
combing the whole structure of the liquor traffic, and filling it with 
forces, that, when connected with the battery of the government, 


16 


HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 


will electrify the boulders of hardened process and practice and 
disperse them as easily as was old Hell Gate when “Little Mary” 
touched the electric button. Though perhaps a dozen were saved 
in our town by the Keeley Cure, the W. C. T. U. call it but a little 
life-boat that saves comparatively a few, while the lines of pre¬ 
vention go on and on honeycombing the structure and filling in 
with heavenly dynamite, praying to eventually be connected with 
the government that shall rend the rock in flinders, and voyagers 
may pass peacefully on, while that awful vortex is remembered 
only in history. 

The talismanic letters, W. C. T. U., in Littleton. as well as 
elsewhere, now have the cheering God speed of every consecrated, 
cultured clergyman to help them on ; and temperance ozone per¬ 
vades the sentiment of both pulpit and press. Our worthy editors 
giving welcome, aid by their publications. Teachers instruct in 
every grade, the school children that love to stop for a drink at 
the W. C. T. U. fountain of pure cold water, as they go to and 
fro. 

September i, 1891, Mrs. S. C. Sawyer was elected president. 
It is an honor to be a member of the Woman’s Christian Temper¬ 
ance Union, but a much greater honor to be one of its presidents. 
The four consecutive years as constant leader, showing strides of 
advance along many and no lagging in any lines of work, bespeak 
deserving credit. Mrs. Sawyer was a charter member and has 
ever been in the fore of the campaign ; an able and willing worker. 
She has been successful in introducing and presenting W. C. T. 
U. work to other bodies and associations; has been delegate to 
many County and State conventions; has been superintendent of 
several departments, a busy treasurer, and never outside the rank 
and file. Her husband, an honorary member in very deed, has 
been no silent exponent of the work, but with a smile and God 
speed was one of the first to stand for Prohibition, and equal suf¬ 
frage. 

September 10, 1895, Mrs. S. L. Simonds was elected presi¬ 
dent. A woman possessed of that rare combination—zeal and 
wisdom—with an ear to catch the keynote and keep step with the 
advance corps, the wife of one of our best citizens, an honorary 
member of the Union. He believes, with Joseph Cook, in a 
political platform with “No sex, no shirks, no simpletons in citi¬ 
zenship.” Though now in the Republican party, which burst the 
fetters of slavery from four million Africans, he will, no doubt, in 
the near future cast his vote with a Home Protection party to 



MRS. NELSON PARKER. 



MRS. JOHN WINCH. 



MRS. FRANK PHILLIPS. 


MRS. HOSEA PATTERSON. 



MRS.B. W. KILBURN. 



MRS. ROBERT LANGFORD. 
































— 


- * - * — • — 







- - - 













WOMAN’S CHRISTIAN TEMPERANCE UNION. 


17 


break the shackles of the nation from the bondage of King Alcohol 
and its allies. 

With an efficient staff of vice-presidents, viz; Mrs. Elena 
Hoffman from the Congregational church; Mrs. Aaron Eastman 
from the Methodist church, Mrs. J. B. Merrill from the Baptist, 
Mrs. Oscar Parker from the Advent, Mrs. Hosea Patterson from 
the Unitarian, Mrs. Chauncey Green from the Episcopal, Mrs. S. 
Danforth from the Catholic; Mrs. Frank Phillips, corresponding 
secretary; Mrs. Aaron Eastman, recording secretary ; Mrs. Mabel 
Libbey, treasurer; Mrs. Alzina Currier, auditor. The depart¬ 
ments, viz : Press work, superintended by Mrs. S. C. Sawyer; 
literature, by Mrs. Libbey; social purity, by Mrs Mann; evan¬ 
gelistic, by Mrs. Hill; narcotics, by Miss Mary Metcalf; work 
among lumbermen, by Mrs. Oscar Parker; jail, almshouse and 
flower mission, by Mrs. George Martin; scientific temperance in¬ 
struction, by Mrs. Elena Hoffman ; juvenile work, by Mrs. Hattie 
Bowles ; Sabbath observance, by Mrs. Jennie Smith ; hygiene and 
health, by Mrs. L. M. Buswell; mercy, Mrs. S. C. Sawyer; homes 
for the homeless, by Mrs. George Martin. A paying membership, 
namely : Mrs. Josephine Austin, Mrs. Edgar Aldrich, Miss Ida 
Ash, Miss Julia Allen, Mrs. Maria Bowman, Mrs. William Blake, 
Mrs. Porter Bean, Mrs. L. M. Buswell, Ada Buswell, Mrs. Eliza 
Burnham, Mrs. Charles Bingham, Mrs, Hattie Bowles, Mrs. Isaac 
Calhoun, Mrs. Allen Church, Mrs. Ellery Carter, Mrs. Baxter 
Carbee, Mrs. Kate Chickering, Mrs. C. Caldwell, Mrs. Alzina Cur¬ 
rier, Mrs. Ada Currier, Miss Sophie Dearth, Mrs. Charles Eaton, 
Mrs. Aaron Eastman, Mrs. John Farr, Mrs. S. L. Farr, Mrs. R. T. 
Gile, Mrs. W. A. Gordon, Mrs. John Goodenough, Mrs. Chauncey 
Green, Mrs. Henry Green, Mrs. Elena Hoffman, Mrs. H. How¬ 
land, Mrs. Hannah Hildreth, Mrs. J. A. Hill, Mrs. O. E. Hurl- 
butt, Mrs. Oscar Hatch, Abbie Hatch, Hattie Heald, Mrs. L. A. 
Page, Mrs. C. M. Howard, Mrs. G. W. Jackman, Miss E. C. Jack- 
man, Mrs. B. W. Kilburn, Mrs. Almira Lamere, Mrs. Blanche 
Langford, Mrs. Mabel Libbey, Mrs. Hannah Merrill, Mrs. Maria 
Mann, Mrs. J. B. Merrill, Mrs. Clarke Morrill, Mrs. George Martin, 
Mary Metcalf, Addie Merrill, Mrs. Frank Phillips, Mrs. Hosea 
Patterson, Mrs. Ira Parker, Mrs. Nelson Parker, Mrs. Betsey 
Millen, Mrs. L. B. Heald, Mrs. D. M. Clough, Mrs. Minard Watson, 
Mrs. Ira Bass, Mrs. George Farr, Mrs. T. E. Parker, Mrs. William 
Mitchell, Mrs. Charles Morrill, Mrs. M. F. Young, Ellen Cleasby, 
Olivia Thayer, Cathie Hoffman, Maria Scripture, Mrs. A. D. 
Fisher, Mrs. Sue Morrison, Mrs. Damon Clark, Mrs. C. S. Brooks, 


18 


HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 


Mrs. Sophronia Farr, Mrs. Oscar Parker, Mrs. Henry Porter, 
Mrs. L. H. Moody, Mrs. John Miller, Mrs. D. C. Remich, 
Mrs. John Bent, Mrs. Noah Ranlett, Mrs. Jennie Smith, 
Mrs. S. C. Sawyer, Mrs. S. L. Simonds, Mrs. Sidney 
Smith, Mrs. John Smillie, Mrs. Susan Stevens, Mrs. S. R. 
Seavey, Miss Nellie Shawnee, Mrs. Henry Tilton, Mrs. 
George Tilton, Mrs. John Winch, Mrs. Ella Waterman, Mrs. John 
W. Farr, Miss Nellie Farr, Miss Louise Shea. Honoraries : R. 
T. Gile, F. B. Phillips, Charles Parker, D. C. Remich, L. J. 
Austin, H. O. Jackson, S. C. Sawyer, George Martin, S. L. Simonds, 
Rev. J. B. Merrill, W. E. Gould, Harry Elkins, Rev. F. G. Chut- 
ter, Rev. J. H. Hoffman,/Ira Parker, H. L. Heald, I. C. Calhoun, 
Rev. C. M. Howard, Rev. Fletcher Snapp, Leroy H. Moody, 
Aaron Eastman, William M. Taylor, J. C. Goodenough, Marshall 
Cobleigh, PL M. Moody, H. H. Southworth, Fred Mayhew, Horace 
Richardson. 

A bank account of fifty dollars, and ten dollars in treasury. 
The beautiful portrait of our honored chieftain, Frances Willard, 
and the gavel made of two kinds of woud from the old “crusade 
church,” with sterling silver plate with inscription (presented by 
Mrs. Austin) gives a tocsin call with no uncertain sound as the 
combat deepens. The evangelistic department is the helm, mast, 
and rudder, strong, staunch and true. Chart and compass are 
the working of the spirit of Christ to overcome the “spirits” 
of the greatest adversary yet known. Not in vain the petition to 
high heaven, when the prayers of Littleton’s White Ribbon army 
fill the murky air with incense of prayer and praise. Now in fel¬ 
lowship with the Congregational church and pastor, Rev. J. H. 
Hoffman, who says : 


“Littleton, N. H., Jan. 28, ’96. 

The Woman’s Christian Temperance Union of Littleton has 
accomplished wonders. The moral forces of the whole com¬ 
munity have felt their heart and hand. These noble women are 
on the right side of every good reform; they are friends of God 
and man; they constitute a police force for the town. ‘ Eternal 
vigilance ’ is written on their banners, and ‘ God, Home and Native 
Land’ are words very dear to them. I could wish that every wife, 
mother and sister might give them their prayers and their pres¬ 
ence. Cordially, 


J. H. Hoffman.” 


WOMAN’S CHRISTIAN TEMPERANCE UNION. 


19 


The Methodist church and pastor, Rev. C. M. Howard, who says: 

“As indicated in its name there are, to my thought, three 
elements of great strength in the Woman’s Christian Temperance 
Union, viz., woman , unity , and Christianity . That these ele- 
ments of strength are combined to push on so noble and beneficent 
a cause as that of temperance in its deeper and broader signifi¬ 
cance furnishes a reason for profound gratitude on the part of 
every man who loves God supremely and his neighbor as himself. 
The Methodist Episcopal church, by its clergy and laymen, has 
not been slow to recognize the worth of this organization, and 
feels proud of having furnished to it such women as Frances E. 
Willard. C. M. Howard.” 

The Baptist church and pastor, Rev. J. B. Merrill, who says: 

“For myself, and in behalf of the F. B. church, permit me to 
say, we recognize the W. C. T. U. as one of the most potent 
factors in creating and maintaining a healthy and growing tem¬ 
perance sentiment in this community, and extend to it our hearty 
sympathy and fellowship. Yours for God, Home and Every 
Land. J. B. Merrill.” 

The Advent church and pastor, Rev. John Jeffrey, who says: 

“That oft’ repeated quotation, ‘What can a woman do?’ 
might well be paraphrased to read, ‘ What can’t a woman do ? * 
Especially when we take into consideration the indispensable and 
incalculable amount of good that has been accomplished by the 
Woman’s Christian Temperance Union. And as woman was not 
denied the agency to introduce sin into the world, so she shall 
have the privilege to help banish it from the world, which we be¬ 
lieve to be the noble object of this organization. We, therefore, 
as pastor and people of the Advent Christian church of Littleton, 
endorse the God-sent mission, the Woman’s Christian Temper¬ 
ance Union. John Jeffrey. 

The Episcopal church and rector, Rev. E. F. Davis, who says : 

“That brand of the Catholic church, which is known in law 
as the Protestant Episcopal church in the United States, takes her 
stand with reference to the temperance question, as well as all 
other questions of morals and religion, squarely on the word of 
God. She is in hearty sympathy with all reform movements and 


20 


HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 


enterprises, while through her own ‘Church Temperance society, ’ 
(of which the Presiding Bishop of the American church is pres¬ 
ident, and fifty-two other bishops are vice-presidents,) and through 
the ‘ Woman’s Auxiliary, ’ and her co-operation with the W. C. T. 
U. in numberless instances, and also through the ‘ Church Tem¬ 
perance Legion, ’ a steady, earnest and effective work is being ac¬ 
complished throughout the entire country. All Saints’ mission, 
during the twenty years of her life in Littleton, has been faithfully 
striving to teach the rising generation to live godly, righteous and 
sober lives, aiding and encouraging every effort made for the pro¬ 
motion of temperance in the peace. 

Edgar Foster Davis. 

The Unitarian church and pastor, Rev. F. L. Snapp, who says : 

“Littleton, N. H., Feb. io, 1896. 

To Mrs. Simonds, President of W. C. T. U., Littleton, N. H. 

My Dear Madam :—Having been for some days out of town 
and otherwise very much occupied, I have not been able to make 
formal the informal invitation I tendered through you to the 
Woman’s Christian Temperance Union to hold its annual con¬ 
vention in the auditorium, parlors and dining rooms of the Uni¬ 
tarian church in this village. I regard the efforts of the women 
today in the various departments of charity and reform as unpre¬ 
cedented in the history of the world. Of course as we look back 
and review the noble self-sacrificing characters of Lady Hunting- 
ton, Elizabeth Frye, Grace Darling and Princess Alice, we feel 
that we must place them side by side with Miss Clara Barton, Miss 
Frances Willard, Mrs. Mary A. Livermore and others of our day; 
yet the movement of today is unprecedented because of its or¬ 
ganization, world-embracing, non-sectarian in its efforts in that 
it deals with humanity and its various demands for uplifting, and 
it is all sectarian in that it places no bar against any faith what¬ 
soever to co-operate in its movement. This is a pleasant thing to 
contemplate, for after so many songs, prayers and speeches have 
been absorbed by denominational interests, the world is wide 
enough and God’s common truth is bountiful enough to furnish 
us songs and prayers and speeches which, while not doing violence 
to any man’s predilections in faith, feed the very soul upon the 
manna which comes done from heaven. Of such an organization 
you have the honor of being the president, and in view of the an¬ 
nual convention holden in this village on the 20th of this month 






MRS. J. L. SMITH. 




MRS. CHAS BINGHAM. 


MISS MINNIE B. TILTON . 


































































































































WOMAN'S CHRISTIAN TEMPERANCE UNION. 


21 


1 , in behalf of the Unitarian church, bespeaking her earnest co¬ 
operation and sympathy in work of the Union, do hereby cor¬ 
dially extend an invitation to the Woman’s Christian Temperance 
Union to hold said convention with their co laborers in our 
church, assuring the Union that helping hands and willing hearts 
will be there ready to receive them. 

Very cordially yours, 

L. Fletcher Snapp. 

Rev. F. G. Chutter says the following of the W. C. T. U.: 

•‘Littleton, N. H., March 28, 1896. 

Dear Mrs. Austin : — I am truly glad to say on paper what I 
have Sc\id again and yet again that I consider the W. C. T. U. one 
of the greatest moral forces of the age, born in necessity, reared in 
adversity, she is a giant of almost limitless powers. I dare not 
prophesy her work or her destiny so long as her members are real 
Women, her spirit Christian, her principle Temperance, and her un¬ 
changing watchword Union. Very respectfully, 

Frederick G. Chutter. 

It is a happy coincidence that our saloons, saloons, saloons, 
have gone ! And our homes are safer now with unlocked doors 
than in former days with bars and bolts, surrounded by the work 
of seventeen saloons. 

February n, 1896, at the regular meeting the following reso¬ 
lutions were unanimously adopted and recorded : 

Whereas, The clergy of this town give so much sympathy 
and aid to our organization by standing shoulder to shoulder with 
us as true watchmen and not afraid to cry aloud for victory over 
the vile destroyer of our homes, 

Resolved, That a rising vote of thanks be given as an expres¬ 
sion of appreciation of the aid and comfort it has been to our 
Union, and to the friends of temperance, generally, in our town; 

Whereas, One of the number deems it best to go to another 
field of labor when the spring comes, we feel it will be no dis¬ 
paragement to them all to make allusion to the brave, true knight, 
who, without fear and without reproach, has borne his colors right 
onward with a self-forgetting chivalry worthy of the nineteenth 
century; therefore 

Resolved, That a vote of thanks from the Union now assem¬ 
bled be given Rev. J. B. Merrill, pastor of the Baptist church, not 


22 


HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 


forgetting to make worthy mention of his noble wife, who has filled 
so many offices of trust.* 

Of the honorary members Joel Bronson, William Taylor and 
Loren J. Austin have passed on to their heavenly promotion ; the 
former in 1894 at the advanced age of ninety-two. He was a 
man of most sterling integrity and Christian philanthropy. Whit¬ 
tier says of such as he,— 

“ Who gives and hides the giving hand. 

Nor counts on favor, fame or praise, 

Shall find his smallest gift outweighs 
The burden of the sea and land. ” 

The same year, in May, L. J. Austin, passed on to the higher life, 
but left deeds well worthy of homage and may help others who are 
still in the battle of life and temptation. His first step for tem¬ 
perance was that of total abstinence, to refuse the social glass that 
had been looked upon with complacency—and with the hot slinqs , 
Rock and Ryes, that cure colds and fevers alike, then to sign his 
name where it says : f T hereby solemnly pledge and promise, 
God helping me, to abstain from the use of and to discourage all 
traffic in intoxicating drinks .’* This act brought light to bear 
upon the questions of the day, and, through a representative of 
the town of Bethlehem in 1883-5, he soon became convinced that 
the greatest issue in politics was not the tariff, but the liquor 
traffic. And grandly he stood firmly and more sure for prohibi¬ 
tion. It appeared to him that the shackles must be broken that 
now fetters half the human race, make her the helpmeet God de¬ 
signed her to be, and the hearthstone the cornerstone of the 
nation. Every branch of the W. C. T. U. work found a responsive 
amen from his heart, and he cheerfully gave the tithes of his store¬ 
house to aid the woman worker and reformer. His last social act 
was in midwinter, in company with his wife, to purchase from the 
hothouse a blooming plant and carry a few miles out to the bereaved 
home of our White-ribbon sister, Mrs. Rose Kenney, who had so 
recently been cast into the loneliness of widowhood. As they 
looked at the green leaves and pure white petals of God’s handi¬ 
work, there must have been a sense of touch with the Divine, for 
within a few months each was called to join those on the other 
shore. This is what she afterwards wrote to Mrs. Austin and the 
Union : 

My Dear Mrs. Austin :—My beautiful pink has two more 
blossoms. I enjoy it continually, though my heart is sad all the 

* Happily when spring came Brother’and Sister Merrill listened to the cor¬ 
dial invitations from church and friends to remain yet a little longer. 



woman's CHRISTIAN TEMPERANCE UNION. 


23 


time. You can understand both feelings can you not? Dear 
Sisters of the Union :—It is difficult for me to find words to ex¬ 
press my gratitude for the beautiful expression of your love and 
sympathy that was brought to me by Mr. and Mrs. Austin. The 
plant was beautiful in itself, but as an expression of your feelings 
to one in this time of deep sorrow it is doubly so. I think I never 
fully understood the meaning of “ Flower Mission ” before. Again 
thanking you for your loving kindness in the work, I am, as ever, 
your sister in the work. Rose A. Kenney. 

In him the sweet consistency of Right and Justice seemed a 
language read by child, mother, sister, wife, or daughters, as a 
champion for their uplift. ’Tis said,— 

“The smallest bark on life's tumultuous ocean 
Will leave a track behind forevermore; 

The lightest wave of influence set in motion 
Extends and widens to the eternal shore. ” 

The following June, of 1894, our beloved sister, Rose A. Kenney, 
the sweet unobtrusive, intensely interested, faithful worker, passed 
o 1, loved but not lost. 

Mrs. Mary J. Bronson, wife of Joel Bronson, finished her 
earthly work the December previous, in 1893, at the advanced 
age of eighty-five. Her life work was always in the advanced 
ranks, full of advanced thought and action, and the Littleton W. 
C. T. U. honor her memory. 

William M. Taylor, while walking down Main street, was met 
by the local W. C. T. U. president, Mrs. S. C. Sawyer, who asked 
him if he would like to join the Union as an honorary member. 
Answering in his characteristic way, he assured her he had wished 
to do so for some time, and, with pencil and paper on the rough 
granite curbing, wrote his name with the spirit of a hero whose 
nature was made up of patriotic love “For God and Home and 
Native Land.” 

Mrs. Lucy A. Jones, a faithful member in both service and 
attendance, removed because of sickness to Newport, P. Q., where 
she left the uncertainties ot life for a world where she believed 
were prepared mansions for such as she and all God’s anointed 
family. She was a native of Maine, born in 1845, died in 1892. 

Mary B. Tilton, whose name is so often read in these pages 
as “Minnie” and is as indelibly written in the hearts and haunts 
of her every day and every day of her life—was a native of Little¬ 
ton. Her sweet, winsome, noble standard of life was like an in¬ 
spiration and uplift for the highest and best. Beneficent to a de- 


u 


HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 


gree, she gathered the children by the scores to her home where 
in pleasant parlor, or on the spacious lawn, they enlisted, marched 
and drilled in the Cold Water Army, shouldering their miniature 
muskets in battle array against the King and Tyrant Alcohol. It 
needed no second thought for her to see the stepping stones and 
avenues leading to destruction of body and soul in the beverage of 
cider, and she strictly adhered to her pledge lest she might cause 
some other to offend. 

In 1892, like the dew of the morning, 

Soaring from earth to her home in the sun— 

She passed away .gently and lovingly, 

Sweetly remembered for what she had done. 

So truly she’s missed there’s none yet succeeds her 
To work in the fields where the seeds she has sown; 

The harvest is ripe awaiting the reaper— 

The children are waiting bereft and alone. 

There needeth no praise of the love-written record 
The name and the epitaph graved on the stone; 

The work that she lived for let that be her story; 

Enshrined in our hearts the good she has done. 

“ Miss Mary Tilton was one of the rarest of women, born 
with a wonderful capacity which made her fit to fill almost any 
sphere. Wise in judgment, careful and cautious, but aggressive, 
charitable and kind, but pronounced in her opinion. Always 
ready and ever willing; true as steel. To know her was but to 
love her. I never asked her advice, but was surprised at her wis¬ 
dom. I never asked her aid, but received it readily. I never 
sought her prayers, but felt the strength which came from them. 
She seemed a most happy mean between that which in Christian 
life and thinking seems conservative and progressive. The old 
understood her and so did the young. The future pastors of the 
church will never know 7 what they have missed in her death, while 
those who knew her are mourning even today. Of her virtues the 
half has not been told. Her memory is ever fresh and sweet; 
thus it will remain till we stand face to face on the ‘Home Land.’ 

Most gratefully, 

Her pastor, 

Frederick George Chutter.” 

Mrs. H. H. South worth was one of the first to join the ranks 
of the W. C. T. U. Possessed of rare and sterling qualities of 
mind and manner—both positive and aggressive. Believed in prog¬ 
ress and that the world and its people should grow better and go 
higher, hence, any reform movement naturally attracted her at¬ 
tention and enlisted her sympathies, however unpopular it might 
be in its conception. She remained a much honored and re¬ 
spected member till her death December 30, 1892. 


woman's CHRISTIAN TEMPERANCE UNION. 


55 


Reluctantly the historian refrains from writing the countless 
deeds of loyalty to our motto, “For God and Home and Native 
Land,” by each member of the Littleton branch of White Ribbon 
army—often called the “Mutual Admiration” society—but most 
lovingly mention our two most venerable, such as Miss Willard 
calls White Ribbon saints, Mrs. Hannah D. Merrill and Julia 
Allen. What a keynote was sounded a few days ago by Mrs. 
Merrill, with an expression emphasized by a voice as sweet, clear 
and pure as the nightingale, an eye lighted with enthusiasm well¬ 
ing up from a consecrated heart of love to humanity, when she 
said : “I would be perfectly willing to give my life to the tem¬ 
perance work.” She is a charter member of the W. C. T. U. 
She was born in 1811, and being possessed of an almost unim- 
pared memory at A. D., 1896, it is profitable as well as interest¬ 
ing to chat for an hour with her upon the different methods of 
temperance work used in Littleton. She will tell you how in the 
early Forties there was a society, (only males of course), formed, 
which though doubtless doing active work, as we now call it, 
called out much activity on the enemy’s side, causing her hus¬ 
band, (that good man so many remember as Deacon Merrill), to 
be burned in effigy on Main street about front of Thayer’s hotel. 
The good old horse of Dr. Mopre was obliged to appear in dis¬ 
habille, having had his tail wickedly shorn by the same friends 
who gave other various expressions of their standard in life and 
action. No female membership, but about this time one whose 
name is as worthy to be handed down in memory as the Cru¬ 
saders of 1873-4, Mrs. Fanny Nourse, nee Nichols, went to the 
hotel where they sold liquor, knelt and prayed and so plead that 
good results were obtained, unequivocally in evidence that the 
two divisions, male and female, should combine power in organ¬ 
ization against the heinous traffic. Mrs. Merrill was superinten¬ 
dent of evangelistic work until 1891. No artist can represent the 
fragrance of a flower, neither can pen portray the influence of 
such as Mrs. Merrill and Miss Allen in the sunset glow of their 
lives. “Aunt Julia,” as so many love to call her, wears the white 
ribbon to church. Sabbath school, communion, and at home. 
She still goes to the semi-monthly meetings with a cheerful heart 
and prays to the God in whom she believes for the final overthrow 
of the liquor traffic and intemperance. She has lived to see 
answered her prayers for the divine quickening of our churches to 
stop the curse that is weaving the tissue of Death’s winding sheet, 
so long consoled by pious sympathy. Peradventure, “Aunt Julia” 


26 


HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 


may live to see the greatest barriers, intemperance and the liquor 
traffic, to the Kingly coming of Christ, removed, and victory 
crown a peaceful warfare. The gates swing on golden hinges that 
open when the summons “enter thou” comes to those who have 
done what they could. 

Littleton Union never hesitates to fall in line of thought and 
action with Frances Willard, who from the watch-tower now over¬ 
looking every civilized country of the world, reads the signs of 
the times. It adopts her declaration of principles, viz : 

We believe in the coming of His kingdom, whose service is 
perfect freedom because His laws, written in our members as 
well as in nature and grace, “are perfect, converting the soul.” 

We believe in the gospel of the Golden Rule and that each 
man’s habits of life should be an example safe and beneficent for 
every other man. 

We believe in a living wage ; in courts of conciliation and ar¬ 
bitration ; in justice as opposed to greed of gain; in “peace * on 
earth, good will to men.” 

We believe that God created both man and woman “in His 
own image,” and, therefore we believe in one standard of purity 
for men and women and the equal right of each to hold opinions 
and to express the same in the home, on the platform, in the pul¬ 
pit and at the ballot box. 

We, therefore, formulate and for ourselves adopt the follow¬ 
ing pledge, asking our brothers and sisters of a common danger 
and a common hope to make common cause with us in working 
its reasonable and helpful precepts into the practice of everyday 
life. 

PLEDGE. 

“I hereby solemnly promise, God helping me, to abstain 
from the use of all distilled, fermented and malt liquors, as a bev¬ 
erage, and to employ all proper means to discourage the use of 
and traffic in the same.” 

To confirm and enforce the rationale of this pledge we de¬ 
clare our purpose to educate the young; to form a better senti¬ 
ment ; to reform as far as possible, by religious, ethical and scien¬ 
tific means, the drinking classes ; to seek the transforming power 
of divine grace for ourselves and all for whom we work, that they 
and we may willfully transcend no law of pure and wholesome liv¬ 
ing ; and finally we pledge ourselves to labor and pray that all 


WOMAN’S CHRISTIAN TEMPERANCE UNION. 


27 


these principles, founded on the Gospel of Christ, may be worked 
out and into the customs of society and the laws of the land. 

The Littleton Union most heartily endorse the resolutions 
made at the first convention in 1874. 

Resolved, that, recognizing the fact that our cause is and is to 
be combated by mighty, determined and relentless forces, we will, 
trusting in Him who is the Prince of Peace, meet argument with 
argument, misjudgment with patience, and denunciation with 
kindness, and all our difficulties and dangers with prayer. 

Resolved , that, whereas, wemen are the greatest sufferers from 
the drink traffic, and realizing that it is to be ultimately suppressed 
by means of the ballot, we, the Christian women of the land in 
convention assembled, do pray Almighty God and all true men 
that the question of prohibiting the liquor traffic should be sub¬ 
mitted to all the adult citizens of this country, irrespective of sex, 
not as a means of enlarging our rights or of antagonizing the 
sexes, but as a means of protecting ourselves, our children, and 
homes from the ravages of the rum power. 




FIVE MINUTES WITH OUR BUSINESS PEOPLE, 


for ... 


PHOTOS 


of fine finish and 
quality, visit .... 

Kitchen’s Studio, 



OVER POST-OFFICE, 


LITTLETON, N. H. 


Our Simple Wav of 
Doing Business 

Makes it easy to trade here. A child 
can buy just as cheaply as you. Every 
article marked with the price, and that 
is the price. If you are not satisfied 
with your purchase, your money back. 
This is our simple way. 

WILSON & TUTTLE 

One-Price Clothiers, 
LITTLETON, N. H. 


Twelve years with Waltham Watch Co. 

—W. W. BROWN- 

Watchmaker . and . Jeweler. 



YOUR EYES 
EXAMINED 
FREE. 


HODGMAN’S 

OLD 

STAND. 


LITTLETON, N.H. 

S. W. Hodgman Watchmaker and Jeweler, 


Edward Thornton Sanderson, 

ARCHITECT. 

LITTLETON, NEW HAMPSHIRE. 



Ulhcrc are yon Going? 


TO THE 


MILLINERY EMPORIUM 


OF . 

GARDNER, ME 


;••• Soptye E. Dearth. 


ELI B. WALLACE 

.. stationery. Blank Books, etc. 


_ morning mirror 

AGENT FOR AND 

manchcster Union. 


Silver ‘Dollars » 

. . . Last a long time at our low 
. . . prices ^>n 

WALL PAPERS 
AND . . . CHINA •s6V9e- 

. . . AH the latest designs at 

l ‘n!h on ’ Lynch $ Richardson's 

A CHOICE LINE 
...OF... 

Groceries, Fruits, 

AND Confectionery. 
Jfarrington dc Co. 

McCOY’S BLOCK. 
















FIVE MINUTES WITH OUR BUSINESS PEOPLE*. 


C. T. nuttings« « 

THE LARGEST 

Dry Goods, 

Garment and 
Carpet House 

NEW HAMPSHIRE. 

Write for Samples and Prices 

30 Main St. LITTLETON, N. H 

HEADQUARTERS FOR 

s,- Harness 

Whips, Robes, Trunks, 

Ladies’ Satchels, Car- 
riage and Sleigh Trim- 
mings,Harness Leather. 

J. H. SMHLLEV. 

Soulci*s+im 

wm 

. LEAD IN 

oAoes ess 

QUALITY. 

26 Main Street, Littleton, N. H. 

If You 4? 
Want. 

a Cottage, Farm, Summer Home 
or Business of any kind, write 
particulars of wants to 

S. Oscar Parker k Son, Real %'t, 

LITTLETON, N. H. 

Send your Lace Curtains to Littleton Steam 
.Laundry. 

M. A. EASTMAN 

Has a large line of 

White Mt. Souvenirs 
rine China, Cut Glass 
Stationery 

Choice Confectionery 

C. jS. MORGAN, 

Clothes Gleaned 
and Repaired 

Orders left at Renfrew Bros , 

82 Main Street will receive 

Prompt Attention. 

LITTLETON, N. H. 

residence: 

Corner of High and Elm Streets 



€, 


Si*. 


nglish & iMond, 

Wholesale and Retail 

^•GROCERS# 


Grain, Provision, Fruit, 

Agricultural Hardware. 

58 and 60 Main St. Littleton, N.H. 

















FIVE MINUTES WITH OUR BUSINESS PEOPLE 


o Cane <5c fficu'lei/, 

-#fOLOTHIBES^ 

OPERA BLOCK, LITTLETON, N. H. 

































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